Development Manager

Development Manager

Normandale Community College Foundation
Bloomington, Minnesota

This position is employed by the Normandale Community College Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and is not a State of Minnesota position.

About Normandale Community College Foundation

At Normandale Community College, education is more than academics. It's a lifeline. Through scholarships, emergency assistance, and programs that address food insecurity, financial hardship, and barriers to educational success, the Normandale Community College Foundation helps students access the resources they need to succeed.

Serving more than 15,000 students annually, Normandale is Minnesota's largest community college and an important educational and workforce development resource for the Twin Cities region.

The Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization with more than $10 million in assets and a growing philanthropic program. Recent investments have supported the Center for Interprofessional Education in Healthcare, innovative teacher preparation programs, student technology access, food security initiatives, STEM education, and expanded scholarship opportunities.

Our four-person Foundation staff works closely with the College's Advancement, Marketing and Communications, and Grants teams to connect philanthropic investment with student success.

About the Opportunity

The Normandale Community College Foundation seeks an experienced, resourceful, and results-oriented Development Manager to lead and grow its annual fundraising program.

This is an opportunity for a fundraising professional who enjoys combining data-driven strategy with meaningful donor relationships. The Development Manager will take ownership of annual giving campaigns, develop a portfolio of approximately 150 mid-level donors and prospects, and help build a sustainable pipeline of philanthropic support for Normandale students.

The Development Manager works closely with the Foundation's Major Gifts Officer to identify, cultivate, and transition donors with potential for increased philanthropic investment.

The successful candidate will bring demonstrated fundraising experience, strong technological and analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and a record of turning plans into measurable results.

As a member of a small, collaborative team, the Manager will have substantial responsibility, direct access to leadership, and the opportunity to shape the Foundation's annual giving strategy.

The position offers a hybrid work schedule with two remote workdays and three on-campus days each week.

Position Responsibilities

Annual Giving Strategy and Campaign Management — 60%

• Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive annual giving plan that supports the Foundation's fundraising goals, donor acquisition, retention, and increased giving.
• Lead multi-channel fundraising campaigns, including direct mail, email, digital giving, Giving Tuesday, year-end appeals, alumni giving, and targeted donor initiatives.
• Manage campaign planning and execution, including timelines, budgets, audience segmentation, solicitation strategies, and performance measurement.
• Analyze donor data, giving patterns, response rates, retention, and campaign results to improve fundraising effectiveness.
• Develop compelling donor-centered communications in partnership with Foundation and College marketing colleagues.
• Utilize Raiser's Edge or comparable fundraising CRM systems to manage donor information, segment audiences, track fundraising activity, and produce accurate reports.
• Collaborate with database and donor relations staff to ensure appropriate gift coding, data integrity, and timely donor acknowledgment.
• Identify opportunities to expand digital fundraising, recurring giving, employee giving, retiree giving, and alumni participation.
• Monitor annual giving performance and provide regular reports, recommendations, and progress updates to Foundation leadership.
• Maintain knowledge of emerging fundraising practices, technologies, and donor engagement strategies.

MID-Level Donor Engagement and Portfolio Management — 30%

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 mid-level donors and prospects with annual giving potential of $1,000–$9,999, developing personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to strengthen relationships, increase giving, and identify potential major gift prospects.
• Engage donors through personal meetings, phone calls, correspondence, and other meaningful interactions.
• Identify and qualify donors with potential for increased giving and collaborate with the Major Gifts Officer on appropriate portfolio transitions.
• Maintain accurate, timely records of donor interactions, solicitation plans, and next steps in the fundraising CRM.
• Develop and execute small-scale donor engagement activities that support relationship building and increased giving.
• Meet regularly with the Executive Director to review portfolio activity, fundraising progress, and donor strategies.

Team Collaboration and Advancement Support — 10%

• Collaborate closely with Foundation colleagues, College Advancement, Marketing and Communications, and other campus partners to advance fundraising priorities.
• Coordinate with Donor Relations and database staff to ensure a consistent, high-quality donor experience.
• Partner with alumni engagement colleagues to identify opportunities for alumni participation and philanthropic support.
• Support the Foundation's annual Creating Futures fundraising breakfast and other major events as appropriate.
• Participate actively in team planning, share information proactively, and contribute to a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous improvement.
• Pursue professional development opportunities that strengthen fundraising knowledge and effectiveness.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in annual giving, fundraising campaigns, donor development, or a closely related revenue-generating role.
• Demonstrated responsibility for planning, executing, and evaluating fundraising campaigns or comparable revenue-generating initiatives.
• Demonstrated proficiency with fundraising CRM systems, including donor record management, data segmentation, reporting, and tracking fundraising activities.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel or comparable spreadsheet applications, email marketing platforms, and standard digital collaboration tools.
• Experience developing effective written communications for donors, customers, or other external audiences.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret data, evaluate results, and make informed recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects independently, establish priorities, meet deadlines, and follow through on commitments.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Ability to incorporate feedback, learn new technologies, adapt to changing priorities, and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Commitment to educational opportunity, student success, and an inclusive, welcoming environment.
• Equivalent combinations of relevant education and professional experience will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience managing annual giving programs in higher education or nonprofit organizations.
• Demonstrated success achieving fundraising or revenue goals.
• Experience with Raiser's Edge, Raiser's Edge NXT, or comparable donor management software.
• Experience with donor segmentation, digital fundraising, direct mail, and campaign performance analysis.
• Experience managing a portfolio of mid-level donors and conducting personal solicitations.
• Familiarity with major gift pipeline development and donor moves management.
• Experience working collaboratively with marketing, communications, and advancement services professionals.
• Experience with alumni giving, employee giving, or recurring gift programs.

Professional Attributes for Success

The successful candidate will be a capable and collaborative professional who:

• Takes ownership of responsibilities and consistently delivers high-quality work.
• Combines strategic thinking with strong organizational and execution skills.
• Is comfortable working independently while recognizing the importance of communication and teamwork.
• Uses technology and data confidently to improve efficiency and results.
• Approaches challenges with curiosity, resourcefulness, and sound judgment.
• Communicates clearly, professionally, and proactively.
• Welcomes feedback and demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning.
• Values donor relationships, collegiality, integrity, and the mission of community college education.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel locally for donor meetings and Foundation activities.
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend events.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling donor and organizational information.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, including maintaining regular communication, meeting deadlines, and collaborating with colleagues both remotely and on campus.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary range for this position is $75,000–$82,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

The Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.

The position includes three on-campus workdays at Normandale Community College in Bloomington and two remote workdays per week.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to foundation@normandale.edu describing their relevant fundraising experience, including examples of campaigns, donor engagement initiatives, or revenue-generating programs they have managed.

Selected candidates will participate in a structured interview process that may include a brief, job-related assessment of fundraising strategy, written communication, and data analysis.

Normandale Community College Foundation is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We encourage applications from qualified candidates with diverse professional experiences and backgrounds.